Small houses are the new black right now, and this practical little living space couldn’t be more in vogue. The “Shed,” designed by Manchester-based FKDA Architects, provides all the necessary amenities for living in a compact unit. Designed for those in need of affordable and practical space, the Shed is sustainably built from FSC certified wood, with a healthy interior, efficient use of interior space, and it can run off renewable energy.

FKDA has two models of the Shed, aptly named the Big Shed and the Little Shed. The Sheds are prefabricated off-site and then assembled either in the factory or on site. The Big Shed sells for £35-50,000 for 258 square feet, while the Little Shed is £20-35,000 for 140 square feet. Each unit has a lofted bed space over the bathroom and kitchen area, but naturally the Big Shed is, well, bigger. The sheds are designed with an inner sleeve that incorporates cutout space for furnishings, fittings and practical storage space.

Constructed of FSC certified timber framed walls, double paned windows, cellulose fibre insulation from 100% recycled newspaper and interior finishes with low VOC content, the Shed is a great model for green building. Exterior cladding and roofing options include timber, corten steel, fibre cement, rubber, aluminum or zinc. The interior is outfitted with LED/low energy lighting by Phillips, skylights, and energy efficient appliances. Additionally, the unit is heated with underfloor radiant heating and can be powered by optional a solar photovoltaic and hot water heating systems.

The little sheds are not only extremely efficient and capable of being zero energy, but practical and stylish. One of these sheds could easily be placed in a back yard to act as guest space, an office, or even as a rental unit, providing much needed space for affordable housing. Small housing units like this could provide rental income and a fantastic sustainable addition to a home.